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New York State's ranking as 8th in the nation in reported identity theft cases has been recognized by the NYS Assembly in a resolution confirming their support of a public service campaign sponsored by the New York Credit Union Foundation (NYCUF) and the Credit Union Association of New York.
NYCUF's Identity Theft Awareness Campaign, Who Are You? Identity Thieves Really Wan to Know focuses on educating New Yorkers on how to be safe and protect themselves from becoming the victims of fraudulent activity. Campaign components include: five :15 sec. video public service messages produced in both English and Spanish that feature Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera (D-District 76) and Assembly Minority Leader James N. Tedisco (R-District 110), a series of 2-3 minute educational videos featuring Mindy A. Bockstein, chairperson and executive director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board, and supporting bi-lingual marketing materials. All video components are also available on a 15 minute looping DVD for cable television and credit union lobbies.
Tedisco, the English version's spokesman, was himself a victim of identity theft and spoke about the event in the introduction portion of the ID theft educational video. "Several years ago, I was the victim of identity theft. I know first hand the stress and suffering it can cause. If this educational campaign helps even one person avoid the devastation of identity theft it is worth the effort."
Statistically 8.3 million Americans and almost 16,500 New Yorkers were reported as identity theft victims in 2006. $33 billion was stolen that same year. On average, a single identity theft incident costs victims approximately $6,000, plus another $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses and 55 hours of a victim's personal time to rectify the situation. A recently passed New York State law requires police officers to take full information in identity theft cases. However, two thirds of victims do not even notify the police.
A resolution, which designates November 2008 as Identity Theft Awareness Month in New York State, was introduced by Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer (D-District 23). "Identity theft is an extremely important consumer fraud concern and a serious financial crime," said Assemblywoman Pheffer. "Working with the New York Credit Union Foundation and the Credit Union Association of New York to proclaim November 2008 ‘Identity Theft Awareness Month,' I believe, will educate the consumer and help prevent this crime," said Assemblywoman Pheffer.
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